Featured Video

Positive Results of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

On Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. hosted a live stream featuring footage from a deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgical procedure and a conversation with Drs. Ryder Gwinn and Ron Young. This video shows the before and after results of a DBS procedure that was performed during that live stream. You will see a patient, Matthew Miller, who underwent DBS to treat his Essential Tremors. Matthew is shown turning his device on and off while performing various daily tasks to demonstrate the drastic difference the device has made in his life.

To learn more about Deep Brain Stimulation at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute click here.

Interactive Learning Modules For Spine Patients

Visit our Health Library and discover a variety of fun and easy to use interactive tools to help you learn more about your spine condition. For more information, visit www.swedish.org/spineeducation.

On Demand Spine CME

The On Demand Spine CME Module provides an ongoing forum for physicians and allied health professionals to enhance their diagnostic, clinical, and treatment skills of patients with Spine Disorders. Participants who review the modules may take a brief online quiz, and upon passing the test, may immediately print their CME certificate.

CME Conferences

I try to combine technology with traditional Neurosurgical techniques to find the least invasive therapy with the highest chance of success for patients suffering from disorders of the spine and central nervous system.

Featured Video

Positive Results of Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

On Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. hosted a live stream featuring footage from a deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgical procedure and a conversation with Drs. Ryder Gwinn and Ron Young. This video shows the before and after results of a DBS procedure that was performed during that live stream. You will see a patient, Matthew Miller, who underwent DBS to treat his Essential Tremors. Matthew is shown turning his device on and off while performing various daily tasks to demonstrate the drastic difference the device has made in his life.

To learn more about Deep Brain Stimulation at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute click here.

Interactive Learning Modules For Spine Patients

Visit our Health Library and discover a variety of fun and easy to use interactive tools to help you learn more about your spine condition. For more information, visit www.swedish.org/spineeducation.

On Demand Spine CME

The On Demand Spine CME Module provides an ongoing forum for physicians and allied health professionals to enhance their diagnostic, clinical, and treatment skills of patients with Spine Disorders. Participants who review the modules may take a brief online quiz, and upon passing the test, may immediately print their CME certificate.

CME Conferences

On November 14th, 2013 the FDA gave its approval for an implanted brain stimulator to treat patients with medically refractory epilepsy. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting nearly 1 in 100 Americans. This device has been under investigation for 10 years at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute (SNI) Epilepsy Center.

As principal investigator for the trial, I led a team including Dr. Michael Doherty, Dr. Lisa Caylor and Dr. Alan Haltiner, along with the research department at Swedish to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the device through pivotal trials. The results showed that the responsive neurostimulator system (RNS) made by NeuroPace was indeed effective in treating patients with drug resistant seizures.

Why is this so significant? This device represents the first new non-medication treatment for seizures proven to be effective since 1997, and gives new hope to patients whose lives have been put on hold due to seizures. ...

Tremor is a normal physiologic reaction to anxiety or stress, but it is not normal to have a tremor when performing typical daily activities.

People who develop a tremor while eating, drinking, writing or doing other common activities may have a movement disorder called Essential Tremor. This is actually the most common movement disorder, and can affect up to 4% of people over age 40. People who have this disorder can take medications to help minimize the tremor, but they don't often reduce the tremor by more than about half. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an excellent treatment option for people with severe tremor, and can nearly eliminate the tremor in many patients. Many patients aren't sure when their tremor is severe enough to warrant surgery, and much of our conversation in the office is to help answer this question.

There is no one answer that is right for everyone, but for me it has to do with how well someone is actually doing in their daily life: